What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

• A. To elect the President by a group of electors representing states, balancing popular input with state legitimacy.
• B. To directly elect the President based on the national popular vote.
• C. To appoint members of Congress.
• D. To approve treaties.

Answer: (A)

The Electoral College is the system used to choose the President through a body of electors representing the states, a design that blends nationwide input with the states’ role in the federal system. Each state has a number of electors equal to its total representation in Congress (its senators plus representatives), and in most states the candidate who wins the statewide popular vote wins all of that state’s electoral votes. The electors then meet and cast their votes for President and Vice President.

This setup preserves federalism by giving states a formal say in the election, helps balance power between larger and smaller states, and serves as a check on the direct national popular vote. It is not a direct national popular vote, it does not appoint members of Congress, and it does not involve approving treaties.